Lighting Feedback, Please

[Sime]

Flyweight boxer, Ashley Sexton

I wanted to get some background gone, pull Ash out... Have I done that? WHat could I have done differently?

Camera:	Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure:	0.013 sec (1/80)
Aperture:	f/6.3
Focal Length:	34 mm
ISO Speed:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire

[zona5101]

I think it works fine...the side lighting definitely pulls him out without tossing light into the background.
I can only think of a couple of things that may be beneficial...a hair light would have separated him from the background (but probably not practical if this was a shoot-it-now kind of opportunity). The other would be to add some blur to the background in post if you felt it appropriate.

[sk66]

I think maybe you lost the background too much...You definitely "pulled him out" but at the lost of "atmospherical context"...the ONLY clue this is a training gym is the rope, and the only clues he's a boxer is the rope and hand wraps..Both are somewhat "weak" contextually...could be a MMA fighter, or any of the *hard forms*... but everything is "clean and happy"....except the lighting...

The lighting is somewhat harsh, which I like..it goes w/ badass boxer, but the setting (or lack of) and his expression are all too "easy going" to go with the lighting. With the lighting I feel like he should have just finished sparring...sweaty and pumped..mean, A little dirty. (I don't think I've ever seen wraps that clean unless they were almost new)

Overall though, I think I would start by pulling him less and having something of relevant context discernable in the background (i.e. heavy bag), but not "evenly lit" or necessarily "sharp".. I also think a meaner expression/ a lower vantage point would make him seem more formidable...
This pic makes me feel like I could kick his a$$...

Some of this could change based upon "purpose". This feels more like an "interview shot".... a talk with Ashley, get to know me, my thoughts, like me.... You already know who he is...rep is solid.

It's not a PR shot for an "up and comer/contender". That would be more of portraying him as a "fighter"...and I guess since I don't know who he is I feel like that is "more appropriate".

[Sime]

Originally Posted by zona5101

I think it works fine...the side lighting definitely pulls him out without tossing light into the background.
I can only think of a couple of things that may be beneficial...a hair light would have separated him from the background (but probably not practical if this was a shoot-it-now kind of opportunity). The other would be to add some blur to the background in post if you felt it appropriate.

Originally Posted by sk66

I think maybe you lost the background too much...You definitely "pulled him out" but at the lost of "atmospherical context"...the ONLY clue this is a training gym is the rope, and the only clues he's a boxer is the rope and hand wraps..Both are somewhat "weak" contextually...could be a MMA fighter, or any of the *hard forms*... but everything is "clean and happy"....except the lighting...

The lighting is somewhat harsh, which I like..it goes w/ badass boxer, but the setting (or lack of) and his expression are all too "easy going" to go with the lighting. With the lighting I feel like he should have just finished sparring...sweaty and pumped..mean, A little dirty. (I don't think I've ever seen wraps that clean unless they were almost new)

Overall though, I think I would start by pulling him less and having something of relevant context discernable in the background (i.e. heavy bag), but not "evenly lit" or necessarily "sharp".. I also think a meaner expression/ a lower vantage point would make him seem more formidable...
This pic makes me feel like I could kick his a$$...

Some of this could change based upon "purpose". This feels more like an "interview shot".... a talk with Ashley, get to know me, my thoughts, like me.... You already know who he is...rep is solid.

It's not a PR shot for an "up and comer/contender". That would be more of portraying him as a "fighter"...and I guess since I don't know who he is I feel like that is "more appropriate".

Thank you both, really appreciate the feedback.

Sime

[cherrygirl]

I like this...the lighting gives it a "tough" look with out being overboard. Nice job. Focus is great!

[jdepould]

Agree w/ zona, the background needs more description. Maybe a minor increase in ISO, slower shutter speed and smaller aperture would do it.

Also, a gobo on his torso/hands would help. The gloves are the brightest thing in the frame, and my eyes keep pushing down to them.

Maybe a touch more fill on the right, just a bounce card 8 or 10 feet off camera right would fill in the shadows a little without losing the feel/texture.

[ttosifa]

Maybe it's just me, but it looks like the focus plane is on the sleeves of his shirt and his eyes are OOF. Hard to tell for sure at this size.

[LoveDSLR]

My first thought is the effects from 'dodging and burning'.

[sk66]

Since we're doing edits, here's mine.
version A
Done with the "shadows/highlights" adjustment. Also a little crop, but I think a little higher framing would have been better than the cropping.
Version B
More involved several layers, mode changes, b/w layer, background blur, Lens distortion, etc... The thought was to make it a bit "meaner".

Recalibrated my monitor w/ different software (ColorEyes)...the original looks better now.